New Zealand Mammals

11002-18124 Ship rat (Rattus rattus) grey male with NZ passion fruit (Passiflora tetrandra) 'cache'. This is the 'alexandrinus' colour morph with a brownish back and slate grey belly. Ship rats are the commonest rat in New Zealand, they reach their greatest abundance in lowland forests, and are found in all forest types. They are also found in parks, hedgerows, farmland, and buildings. Their climbing ability means that their habitat is three dimensional incorporating everything from the ground to the treetops. Okuti Valley, Banks Peninsula *